Мотивът за произхода на човечеството от гъби в българската културна традиция
The motif of the origin of humanity from mushrooms in Bulgarian cultural tradition

Summary/Abstract: This thesis explores the folkloric motif of the origin of humankind from mushrooms in Bulgarian cultural tradition, employing an interdisciplinary approach—linguistics, folklore studies, and ethnology. Linguistic Evidence: The word "mushroom" (гъба) has an ancient etymology and rich usage in Bulgarian. It appears in phraseology, toponyms, and dialects, carrying both positive (fertility, wealth) and negative (disease, leprosy) connotations. Folk Riddles: Mushrooms are depicted as houses, animals, or humans, often standing on one leg. They are associated with animation, mystery, and the otherworld. The common riddle metaphor "they spring up like mushrooms after rain" emphasizes their sudden appearance and is linked to creation myths. Etiological Legends: Some rare folkloric texts claim that the first humans sprang from the ground like mushrooms. These stories are found among both Christian and Muslim Bulgarians. The motif is often intertwined with myths about giants, woodland fairies (samodivi), and the boundary between life and death. Mycophilia and Mycophobia: Although later folklore tends to portray mushrooms negatively (as fairy food or poisonous), older mythological layers indicate a mycophilic worldview and symbolic reverence for mushrooms. The author concludes that mushrooms in Bulgarian cultural tradition serve mythological, symbolic, and social functions. They embody archetypal images related to birth, life, death, and the afterlife. The motif of humankind’s origin from mushrooms, though marginal, is deeply rooted in Bulgarian folklore and should be recognized as an authentic component of the national worldview.

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